Public Spaces

Millions of people use public and semi-public areas such as buses, trains and airports to read, study and to improve themselves. But two new technologies produce noise in these places, making it much harder read or concentrate. Widespread use of cellular phones now makes it impossible to read in many public and semi-public settings. And corporations are deployingtamper-proof TV sets where one is compelled to watch and listen to them, including airports, buses, and other mass transit.

As time to read and reflect becomes increasingly rare and precious, Commercial Alert will defend reading space against these technologies and the corporations that promote them.

More Information

News Releases

Commercial Alert Urges CTA Not To Sell Naming Rights, Advertise Alcohol
Robert Weissman and Elizabeth Ben-Ishai | March 26th, 2012

Report: Cash-Strapped Schools Raise Only Minimal Revenues Through In-School Advertising
Elizabeth Ben-Ishai | February 2nd, 2012

Commercial Alert Asks Bush To Defend Reading on the Bus and Train from Noisy TVs
Gary Ruskin | April 16th, 2001

Related Articles and Links

Related Articles

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Associated Press | The Olympian | May 3rd, 2012

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ANDRES VIGLUCCI | Miami Herald | April 23rd, 2012

Ban outdoor advertising
Neal Lawson | The Guardian | April 20th, 2012

Are city commissioners desperate, insensitive or greedy?
Michael Lewis | Miami Today | April 19th, 2012

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Charles Rabin | Miami Herald | April 13th, 2012

Not the best sign, but . . .
Editorial | Miami Herald | April 12th, 2012

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ANDRES VIGLUCCI | Miami Herald | April 10th, 2012

Why would anyone buy naming rights to a highway?
Daniel Nasaw | BBC | March 28th, 2012

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Should Corporations Bankroll National Parks?
Kate Sheppard | Mother Jones | March 5th, 2012

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Samina Esha | The National Post | February 29th, 2012

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Beth Kassab | Orlando Sentinel | February 28th, 2012

New OOH Buy Mortgages The House, Literally
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Obama Could Resurrect Naming Rights Value For Bank Of America Stadium
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Editorial | TCPalm | January 30th, 2012

Brand names and lawmakers' games
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Kathleen McGrory | Miami Herald | January 23rd, 2012

Governor wants to sell naming rights for roads, bridges
CHELYEN DAVIS | Fedricksburg.com | January 23rd, 2012

Bill to OK sale of naming rights for state trails passes through committee
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Coalition to Ban Alcohol Ads on Public Property in Los Angeles Hits the Streets
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The Problem with Naming Transit Stations
Eric Jaffe | The Atlantic | January 9th, 2012

The T's naming rights deal
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Public Citizen Objects to Selling Naming Rights to Public Transport
Ruth McCambridge | Nonprofit Quarterly | December 22nd, 2011

Branson City Officials Hear 'Clean-Up Ordinance'; Business Calls it Targeted
Joanna Small and Joel Girdner | KSPR | December 14th, 2011

Billboards and parks don't mix
Editorial | Los Angeles Times | December 5th, 2011

Should schools, cities and landmarks be selling ad space?
Patt Morrison Show | KPCC | December 2nd, 2011

USPS Selling Advertising on Trucks in Pilot Program
Kerem Ozkan, Riley Wilson | Advertising Age | December 2nd, 2011

Creek Naming Rights Being Auctioned On eBay
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Hannah Sampson | Miami Herald | November 18th, 2011

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Clean ads create a stir in San Francisco
Jonathan Bloom | ABC News | November 1st, 2011

Ron Kaye: Naming rights are a sign of the times
Ron Kaye | The Burbank Leader | October 31st, 2011

Let Them Advertise! Candidate Jan Perry Says YES to Signs in City Parks
Dennis Hathaway | City Watch | October 31st, 2011

Hey, Advertisers: New York Has a Bridge to Sell You
Rich Thomaselli | AdAge | October 27th, 2011

McDonald's to launch in-store channel
Greg Braxton and Joe Flint | Los Angeles Times | October 17th, 2011

Ad firm behind 'supergraphics' sued by city of Los Angeles
Los Angeles Times | September 19th, 2011

Some Cabbies Given Right to Say No to Racy Ads
The New York Times | September 16th, 2011

Subvertising: billboard ads for the public interest
The Ecologist | May 11th, 2011

Calvin Klein Controversy: New Billboard Dropping the F-Bomb?
Fox News | April 1st, 2011

Power-slurping signs
Philadelphia Inquirer | March 21st, 2011

Planters' Campaign: Sustainability Plus
Media Post | February 24th, 2011

Mr. Peanut’s New Car Drives Us Nuts
Wired | February 22nd, 2011

Airborne Advertising Rises to New Heights
Alana Semuels | Los Angeles Times | April 7th, 2009

Name That Dog Park: Suffolk Courts Deals for Cash
Annie Correal | The New York Times | March 18th, 2009

Suffolk Plan to Sell Naming Rights at County Parks
Rick Brand | Newsday | March 8th, 2009

DNR Park-Naming Group Weighs Dollars vs. Ethics
Howard Meyerson | The Grand Rapids Press | February 22nd, 2009

An Ad Network in Times Square
Stuart Elliott | The New York Times | November 19th, 2008

The Train Is Coming. And With It, More Ads.
Stephanie Clifford | The New York Times | October 16th, 2008

Electronic Billboards to Appear in Venice's St. Mark's Square
Emma Hall | Advertising Age | September 3rd, 2008

You Are Here (and Probably Seeing an Ad)
Stuart Elliot | The New York Times | August 14th, 2008

Waterfront Toronto Considers Selling Naming Rights to Public Parks, Spaces
The Canadian Press | April 6th, 2008

NY Public Library 'Trades Naming Rights' to Greedy Hedge Fund Billionaire for Big Bucks
David Morris | AlterNet | March 24th, 2008

City of Miami Putting 'For Sale' Sign on Names of City Parks
Risa Polansky | Miami Today | March 22nd, 2008

Court: Cities Can Ban Electronic Signs
Associated Press | November 9th, 2007

Visual Pollution
The Economist | October 11th, 2007

The Ad Blitzers' Facade
Tom Robbins | Village Voice | October 10th, 2007

Nude Dancer Greets Air Travelers
Associated Press | June 14th, 2007

What's in a School Name? Maybe Money, Maybe Public Service; Policy's in the Works
Jo Collins Mathis | The Ann Arbor News | June 13th, 2007

Subways Tune in to New Revenue
Larry Copeland | USA Today | April 8th, 2005

Reach Out and Annoy Someone
Jonathan Rowe | Washington Monthly | October 31st, 2004

Commercials on the TVs of 150 Milwaukee County Buses Causing Passenger and Driver Complaints
Marti Mikkelson | May 29th, 2003

Commercials on the TVs of 150 Milwaukee County Buses Causing Passenger and Driver
Bob Edwards | National Public Radio (NPR) | May 29th, 2003

Advertisers Seek Out City Buses to Broadcast Their Latest Pitches
Robert Johnson | Wall Street Journal | February 21st, 2001

Letter to Massachusetts Governor Cellucci asking him not to sell the naming rights to subway stations
Ralph Nader | January 23rd, 2001

External Links

Noise Pollution Clearinghouse